Two properties in the City of Bradford were named public nuisances at a meeting of the city’s board of health Tuesday evening.

The first property discussed was 54 Jefferson St. Mike Cleveland, the city’s health director, said the owner of record is Olga Merrick of Smethport.

“The biggest violation is there’s an addition on the rear that has an inadequate foundation,” Cleveland said. “It is sinking and pulling away from the house.”

He said the entire structure is in disrepair. “It’s been vacant since 2014,” he said. “It’s a fire hazard. There is still furniture inside it, which is not allowed under fire code. There are numerous violations throughout.”

Cleveland said the roof is leaking and the rear wall of the house is bowing out.

Stacy Wallace, special counsel to the board of health, asked Cleveland if there was any reason to believe anyone else other than Merrick may be the person responsible for the property.

“At the time the property was vacated, the occupants were purchasing it on a land contract,” he replied. “When they came to the realization of how much it would cost to rehabilitate it, they chose to walk away from the contract.”

The second property discussed was 47 South Kendall Ave., which is owned by Jeffrey Carney, who lives next door, Cleveland said.

“This property … to put it bluntly, I don’t know how it is still standing,” Cleveland said. In July 2014, it was declared dangerous due to foundation issues and was vacated. “It’s gotten worse,” Cleveland said.

“It is really a public danger versus a nuisance,” he said. “If it were to catch on fire, the fire department should not go inside of it to attempt to put it out.”

The board, made up of members of Bradford City Council, unanimously approved both requests.